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Five Basic Research Methods
- Survey
- Observation (aka Direct Observation)Experiment
- Case Study (aka Archival Research)
- Secondary Data Analysis
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Research Method - Survey
- Total Population Survey: all research subjects get the research instrument
- Sample Survey: only a subset gets the research instrument
- ...either an interview or questionnaire
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Research Method - Observation(aka Direct Observation)
- Participant Observation: researcher participates in social setting of the research
- Unobtrusive Measures: researcher intrudes as little as possible in the social setting of the research
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Research Method - Experiment
Field Experiment: in a natural settingControlled Experiment: in a laboratory...includes an experimental group and a control group.
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Experiment
- Experimental Group: receives treatment
- Control Group: does not receive treatment
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Research Method - Case Study(aka Archival Research)
the researcher looks at one person, one group, or one organization in-depth
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Research Method - Secondary Data Analysis
the researcher reanalyzes data collected by another researcher and writes a research report
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Four Basic Research Techniques of Sociology
- Questionnaire
- Interview
- Observation
- Documents
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Basic Research Technique - Questionnaire
- Open question: an individual is free to respond openly; categories are not present
- Closed question: multiple choice categories are provided
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Basic Research Technique - Interview
- Structured: Relative extensive list of questions prepared for the interview
- Unstructured: No extensive list of questions prepared for the interview
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Basic Research Technique - Observation
- Field notes: observer takes written notes of what is observed
- The observer may also record voice or video.
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Basic Research Technique - Documents
Autobiography and biographyGovernment reports, scholarly books (with footnotes), and scholarly articles.
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Steps in the Research Method
- Decide on the Problem
- Review the Literature
- Formulate the Research Question(s)
- Select one of the 5 Methods
- Analyze the Data
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Hypothesis
Refers to a statement about a relationship between two or more variables
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Variables
Refers to characteristics of a person or a group that can vary from one case to another e.g., race, sex, social class, religion, age
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What are the two types of variables?
Dependent and Independent Variables
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Dependent Variables
- Variable which the researcher is trying to explain in the hypothesis
- (the variable that can be measured)
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Independent Variable
Variable which causes a change in another variable
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Empirical Study
- Refers to a research study which has been conducted in a careful and systematic manner and uses methodology that can be replicated by another researcher
- e.g., empirical study conducted by Dr. Cromartie at USF
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Empirical Data
- Refers to data which has been collected through an empirical study
- e.g., empirical data collected by Dr. Cromartie at USF for a doctoral dissertation
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